Banksy has redefined public art with his provocative, politically charged, and emotionally resonant works. With a style that blends dark humor, satire, and stark social commentary, Banksy has risen from anonymous street artist to global cultural icon. His works, while rooted in the city,, have found their way into museums, auction houses, and the broader public consciousness.
In this article, we explore the 5 most popular Banksy works looking at their cultural impact and overview.
Girl with Balloon (2004)
Arguably Banksy’s most iconic image, Girl with Balloon depicts a young girl reaching out for, or perhaps letting go of, a red heart-shaped balloon. Originally stenciled across London, most notably on the South Bank, the image has since been endlessly reproduced, adapted, and referenced.
This simple yet deeply emotive image became a symbol of hope, loss, and innocence. The red balloon acts as both a literal and metaphorical object—representing love, childhood, and dreams, all of which are just out of reach or fleeting. In 2017, a UK poll named it the nation’s favorite artwork, ahead of classics like Turner’s The Fighting Temeraire.
Its power lies in its ambiguity. Is the girl releasing the balloon or trying to catch it? The uncertainty allows viewers to project their own emotions onto it—making the image universal.
Girl with Balloon further cemented its legendary status after a 2018 Sotheby’s auction, where a version of the work self-destructed through a shredder hidden in the frame the moment it was sold. The act, both prank and performance art, made global headlines and solidified Banksy’s anti-establishment credentials.
Love Is in the Air (2003)
Also known as Flower Thrower, this piece shows a masked protester, mid-throw, not with a Molotov cocktail or rock, but with a bouquet of flowers. First painted on the wall in Jerusalem which divides Palestine and Israel, it is one of Banksy’s most powerful anti-violence statements.
LITTA speaks to the paradox of protest. The aggressive posture of the figure—clenched fist, braced stance—is offset by the harmless, even romantic, nature of his “weapon.” It reimagines resistance through compassion, suggesting that change can be enacted through peace rather than violence.
Set against the backdrop of political unrest and global protests, Love Is in the Air has become an enduring symbol of civil disobedience, hope, and nonviolent resistance. Its placement in the Middle East gave it a raw edge of authenticity and urgency.
Prints and paintings of this image remain some of the most sought-after Banksy pieces at auction. It’s also one of the most reproduced, appearing on posters, t-shirts, and murals across the globe—often in contexts where activism meets art.
NOLA (2008)
Also known as Umbrella Girl, NOLA (short for New Orleans, Louisiana) was created in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. It shows a young girl holding an umbrella, but instead of shielding her from the rain, the rain is falling from inside the umbrella itself, soaking her.
NOLA is a haunting metaphor for institutional failure. The very object meant to protect her is the source of her harm. This ironic twist critiques the systems—governmental, societal, infrastructural—that not only failed to protect vulnerable populations during Katrina but actively contributed to their suffering.
By choosing New Orleans as his canvas, Banksy directly confronted the lingering trauma and neglect that the city faced years after the disaster. The image is subtle but devastating, embodying both empathy and quiet rage.
NOLA gained attention for its visual poetry and its context. Prints and paintings from the series have become valuable collector’s items, and it remains one of Banksy’s most emotionally complex and socially poignant images.
Napalm (2004)
Napalm shows the iconic image of Phan Thi Kim Phúc—the young girl burned by napalm in the Vietnam War—flanked by two pop culture mascots: Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald. The juxtaposition is shocking and intentionally jarring.
This piece is a searing indictment of Western consumerism and its ability to whitewash or commodify tragedy. By inserting smiling corporate icons next to one of the most traumatic images of the 20th century, Banksy forces the viewer to confront the contradictions of a culture that sells both war and happiness in the same breath.
The image critiques how mass media can sanitize or trivialize real suffering. It challenges the West’s complicity in global violence and the role of propaganda in desensitizing the public.
While not as commercially popular as some of Banksy’s more “decorative” works, Napalm is frequently cited in academic discussions and exhibitions focused on war, ethics, and media. It stands as one of his boldest, most confrontational works.
Love Rat (2004)
Banksy has returned again and again to rats as a motif in his work. Love Rat shows a stenciled rat holding a paintbrush, having just painted a red heart on the wall behind it. It’s charming, rebellious, and deeply symbolic.
The rat, in Banksy’s universe, represents the artist, the activist, the outsider. Rats are persistent, invisible, and always operating in the margins—much like graffiti artists. The red heart scrawled on the wall suggests love as an act of defiance, art as a romantic gesture in a grey urban world.
By anthropomorphizing the rat, Banksy gives voice to the voiceless, reclaims urban decay as a canvas, and highlights the beauty in subversion. Love Rat blends satire with affection, suggesting that even the smallest, most reviled creatures can leave a mark.
This piece has become a fan favorite, often replicated on clothing and merchandise. It captures Banksy’s core appeal: witty, a little mischievous, and emotionally resonant. Love Rat is also one of the most affordable prints from his earlier editions, making it a gateway for many new collectors.
These five works—Girl with Balloon, Love Is in the Air, NOLA, Napalm, and Love Rat—offer a snapshot of Banksy’s artistic universe: emotionally charged, politically sharp, and visually unforgettable. Whether he's critiquing war, exposing hypocrisy, or simply suggesting love in unlikely places, Banksy has proven that street art can be more than rebellion—it can be a mirror, a question, and a rallying cry.
Despite his anonymity, Banksy's voice has never been clearer. And through these works, that voice continues to resonate across city walls, auction houses, and the hearts of millions. Explore Banksy signed prints for sale or, if you’re looking to sell, find out how to sell Banksy prints and contact our galleries via info@guyhepner.com